Cylindropuntia versicolor     
Staghorn cholla   
Cactaceae Family     

Form: segmented cactus,; tree-like open cluster of branches
Seasonality: evergreen

flower detail

Size: 3-12ft, spread 3-9ft
Leaves: very small scale-type leaves on flush on new growth, lost later; joints are narrow (4-12in long, 3/4in thick); spines are relatively sparse
Flowers: on joint ends, simple, 1in long; bloom in spring; color may be lime green, yellow, orange, bronze or magenta
Fruit: 1-2in long, barrel-shaped shriveled green fruit held on terminal portion of joints
Stems/Trunks: may form a low trunk to 4in in diameter; joints are sausage-shaped
Range/Origin: elevations from 2000-3000ft
Hardiness: to mid teens

LANDSCAPE VALUE:

• barrier
• summer color
• wildlife (food, nesting)
• accent plant

ripening fruit

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Exposure: full sun, takes reflected heat
• Water: natural rainfall
• Soil: tolerant, good drainage
• Propagation: vegetative cuttings (joints); select after flowering to guarantee flower color
• Maintenance: low, keep away from traffic, clean up debris at base

NOTES:

typical form of Cylindropuntia versicolor

most popular of the chollas
hybridizes easily with other chollas, difficult to differentiate species

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This page was first created August 2, 2002 and last modified January 13, 2006.

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Web page design and photographs by Toni Moore, Master Gardener
email to: tmoore1@flash.net

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